Dane Prokofiev at PopMatters recently caught up with drummer MIKE PORTNOY (ADRENALINE MOB, FLYING COLORS, ex-DREAMTHEATER). An excerpt from the story is available below:
One of the perennial headaches about forming supergroups is that of the weight of a heavy legacy. In the case of PSMS (featuring Portnoy, BILLY SHEEHAN, TONY MACALPINE, DEREK SHERINIAN) many people who will be following their progress will inevitably use Dream Theater as a benchmark for comparison. After all, both Portnoy and Sherinian were once part of the seminal prog-rock band.

“I’m flattered when people talk about my 25-year legacy (with DREAM THEATER) and the history, because it was an important part of my life,” he says. “I spent my life’s work doing what I did in DREAM THEATER for 25 years, so I’m proud of that. However, if people start comparing it to modern Dream Theater, that is annoying. I’m not interested in that; I’m interested in looking at the things that I have done. I put my heart and soul into everything that I do, so I’m only interested in people who have positive things to say. I don’t like the controversy and negativity.”

Portnoy is well known for being keeping busy. One thing that has not changed since hisDREAM THEATER days is how he likes to keep himself occupied with a number of ongoing projects.

“I’m currently in six bands, so yeah, it’s not easy,” he professes. “I have PSMS, Adrenaline Mob, Flying Colors, TRANSATLANTIC, this band with Billy Sheehan and RICHIE KOTZEN, and then NEAL MORSE’s band as well, which I have been touring with. I’m a workaholic. I love it; I love what I do and am excited by the music I make and the people I make it with. I surround myself with incredible musicians who inspire me to always do my best.”

Such dedication to one’s craft is seldom seen in the music industry. Most people who are involved with numerous bands don’t normally put this much time and effort into their projects on a day-to-day basis.

“I’m constantly dealing with stuff for every band,” he says. “There’s constantly stuff that’s being worked on in terms of scheduling etc. For one band, I will be overseeing a DVD, and then for another, I will be overseeing the recording process, and then there will be this other band that I am on tour with… I mean I’m used to it. It’s the way it has always been in my life.”

Back in October Portnoy toured as part of ex-SPOCK’S BEARD frontman Neal Morse‘s band. He has posted drum cam footage of ‘Thoughts Pt.5′ from the October 11th show in New York City online; check it out below:

Footage from the October 5th show in Mexico City has surfaced featuring Morse and drummer Portnoy switching places for a cover of THE OSMONDS‘ 1972 hit ‘Crazy Horses‘. Check it out below.

The new MORSE/PORTNOY/GEORGE album – featuring Neal Morse, Mike Portnoy and Randy George – was released on May 22nd via Radiant Records. The complete tracklist is as follows:

A clip of the trio performing ‘Crazy Horses’ is available below. Guitars on the track were performed by Paul Gilbert (MR. BIG), who does not appear in the clip. Previously released footage of the trio covering the STYX classic ‘Come Sail Away’ is also available.